Ep 212 Dr Emma Yhnell Myth Busting Smell & Memories
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
In episode 212 Jo welcomes back Dr Emma Yhnell to myth bust stories and topics relating to neuroscience. Emma is a Reader at Cardiff University and a science communicator. Jo and Emma talk about how AI could help people living with dementia, bear brain surgery and why smell and memories are so closely linked e.g. when it comes to pumpkin spice. Jo is also joined by Dr Jamie Gallagher, who is a science communicator and public engagement trainer from Glasgow. He returns with another story from the Periodic Table and this time it's all about atoms. Presented, produced &...
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Ep 211 Dr Darren Freebury-Jones
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Jo's special guest in episode 211 is Dr Darren Freebury-Jones, who is the author of a number of a books about Shakespeare and his contemporaries. He talks about his work, in particular his latest book 'Shakespeare's Borrowed Feathers', about the early modern playwrights who shaped the Bard. Plus he answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the physic garden at Amersham Museum, to meet director and pharmacy historian Briony Hudson. Briony talks about a book called 'A Modern Herbal'. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. ...
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Ep 210 Science Fiction Books & Films: Stephen King
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
In episode 210 Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks podcast to talk about science fiction cinema. They continue their series looking at the work of authors turned into films and this time focus on Stephen King. Films discussed include 'The Running Man' and 'The Mist', as well as TV series like 'The Stand'. Listeners and guests share some of their favourite science fiction films inspired by the books of Stephen King, including Paul Scott. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's...
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Ep 209 Lynne Peeples
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Jo's special guest in episode 209 is Lynne Peeples, a science journalist based in Seattle. Lynne is the author of the book 'The Inner Clock' and talks to Jo about our circadian rhythms and the impact of food, sleep and light on them. Lynne talks about her research, including ten days in a bunker, and she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the Museum in the Park in Stroud, to learn the story behind a clock which tells us about Stroud Time and Railway Time. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website:
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Ep 208 Anna Mazzola
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
In episode 208 Jo's special guest is writer Anna Mazzola, who talks about her career as a lawyer as well as her books, including her latest historical crime thriller 'The Book Of Secrets'. She also talks about her next project - a modern legal thriller - and she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the physic garden at Amersham Museum, to meet director and pharmacy historian Briony Hudson. Briony talks about a special box pharmacy students would have used to learn about certain plants in the past. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple...
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Ep 207 Prof Adam Hart Myth Busting Anthropomorphism
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Jo's special guest in episode 207 is Prof Adam Hart, who is professor of science communication at the University of Gloucestershire. Adam is back to myth bust a topic and this time its anthropomorphising animals, which is when we imbue them with human qualities. He looks at why we favour some animals to others and the pros and cons of anthropomorphism. Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury to learn about otters and why they are good predators. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website:
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Ep 206 Dr Meganne Christian
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Episode 206 of the podcast is Jo's 4 year anniversary and it's also World Space Week. Jo's special guest is Dr Meganne Christian who is Commercial Exploration Lead at the UK Space Agency and a Reserve Astronaut for the European Space Agency. She talks about her life and career, including becoming part of the astronaut corps, her time in Antarctica and she answers the Quick Six. Jo also has a highlight from the 2024 Cheltenham Science Festival - talking to aerospace engineer and baker Andrew Smyth about baking, engineering and space. Presented, produced & edited by Jo...
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Ep 205 Dr Penelope Campling
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Jo's special guest in episode 205 is Dr Penelope Campling, a consultant psychiatrist, who worked in the field for over 40 years. She talks about her career including what we can learn from therapeutic communities. She also discusses her book 'On The Brink: Stories of Harm & Healing from a Lifetime in Psychiatry', and she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits Gloucestershire Archives and learns about records relating to female patients who were at the Horton Road Asylum in the 19th century. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple...
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Ep 204 Science Fiction Books & Films: HG Wells
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
In episode 204 Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks podcast to talk about science fiction cinema. They continue their series looking at the work of authors turned into films and this time focus on HG Wells. Films discussed include 'War of the Worlds', 'The Invisible Man' and 'The Time Machine'. Listeners and guests share some of their favourite films inspired by the books of HG Wells, including John Putley. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website:
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Ep 203 Holst 150th Anniversary
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Jo brings you a special edition in episode 203, on location at the Holst Victorian House in Cheltenham. She marks the 150th anniversary since the birth of composer Gustav Holst with curator Laura Kinnear. They talk about his life and work, including The Planets and learn about the Digital Kiosk in the museum. Plus Jo has a highlight from the Cheltenham Science Festival. She talks to professor of mathematics Prof Marcus Du Sautoy, astrophysicist Dr Hannah Wakeford and composer Robert Laidlow about their event combining maths, music and space. Presented, produced...
info_outlineIn episode 198 Jo's special guest is writer and conductor Lev Parikian. He talks about his books and passion for birds, and discusses his latest book 'Taking Flight' about how animals learned to fly, including birds, bats and insects. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six.
Jo also chats to one of the team from Wakefield Museums and Castles, to find out the story of a poster and one man from the area who was passionate about the environment.
Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.
Music licensed from Purple Planet.